06-05-2025
Brave woman defies odds to battle life-limiting condition
Ina McConalogue, 73, was diagnosed with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis shortly after losing her husband 11 years ago.
The condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult is given a life expectancy of three to five years.
Six years beyond that, Ina is still fighting to keep her life as normal as possible, spurred on by her positive outlook on life.
The Old Kilpatrick woman said: "My husband and I were on a cruise, and I had started coughing a lot. I went to the doctor's because I couldn't get rid of it.
"It's quite a serious condition. There's no known reason for me to have it, but it destroys my lungs, and there's no cure for it.
"There is medication, which I am on, to slow it down, but it is gradually getting worse.
"When I was first diagnosed, I was told my life expectancy was between two and five years.
"I just keep going, I don't sit down to it."
READ NEXT: 'Absolute joke': Fans fume over huge queues for Glasgow Hydro gig
READ NEXT: Son of £3.5 million lotto winner faces jail for abusing his partner
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis estimates that around 30,000 people in the UK live with IPF, with 6,000 new cases every year.
It is most common in people aged 70 and over, with research suggesting an average life expectancy of between three to five years was carried out before treatments that can slow down the rate of lung scarring were widely available.
Ina's grandson, Callum, came up with the idea earlier this year to take part in the Kiltwalk to raise money and awareness for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, a UK-wide charity.
A link to their fundraiser can be found HERE.
Her two daughters completed the 23-mile route, with Callum joining to complete 12 miles of the trek.
(Image: Supplied) Daughter Marie McDonald said: "She works really hard at keeping herself well, and that makes a difference, but not everyone has the support to be able to have that mindset.
"Her attitude is brilliant, it's mind over matter.
"The medication that my mum is on will never cure her condition, it will only slow it down.
"That's quite harrowing that there is no cure. There's no relief.
"Some of the drugs have really awful side effects.
"A lot of other charities are quite well known and part of this is raising awareness that some people have disabled badges, and you don't really know what is going on with them.
"People might look well on the outside, but the battle is real on the inside."
(Image: Supplied) Marie and her sister Julie, along with Callum, completed the Kiltwalk on Sunday, April 27 and raised a fantastic £300 for Action For Pulmonary Fibrosis.
